A Sword or a Cup?

Despite the somewhat muggy, drizzly weather, the sanctuary was vibrant with chatter and enthusiasm prior to the service beginning. Chuck could hardly get our attention to begin, leading us today because Brad and family are off in Colorado this week.

Opening announcements included Pam's reminder that we are again collecting school supplies for local schools and needy students in our community. Joanne mentioned that it is time to sign up for Sunday school if you can help this coming year in some capacity. Also, today was the last day for getting your picture taken for our new church directory. The church directory is a wonderful tool for helping us learn one another's names and getting us connected. It is also a useful tool for helping members pray for one another.

Chuck handed out a handout developed by the Deacons itemizing various ways in which our church family can participate in building up the church body. The handout was titled God's Body Building Plan, based on I Corinthians 12:12, "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ." As Chuck noted, we need to exercise our faith, not just our (physical) bodies.

Today's Scripture readings were from Psalm 111 and John 6:51-58.

A time of worship, offering and time of prayer were all part of the first half of our service leading into guest speaker Leonard Armstrong's message.

A Sword or a Cup

After an amusing anecdotal comment Leonard had us turn to Hebrews 4:12-13.

12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

When we think of swords many images come to mind such as the Three Musketeers with rapiers drawn, for example, or Olympic fencing. Historically, there have been embarrassing moments in church history where unbelievers were converted at the point of a sword. Charlemagne and the Crusades come to mind here.

But the word used in Hebrews 4, Leonard noted, was making reference to a very specific sword, the two-edged sword wielded by Roman soldiers. It was a weapon of annihilation. In warfare during Roman times people lived in walled cities. When the Roman army would break through the wall, those very walls of protection would become walls of entrapment as the sword wielding Romans brutally slaughtered men, women and children.

Paul here compares God's word to a living sword that penetrates the deepest parts of the heart.

Leonard pointed out that whereas the Word is a sword, it is not the manner in which Christians are to manifest their faith. Our stance is very different from the ruthless brutality exhibited by Roman legions. It is the Holy Spirit's role to convict of sin. Paul's instructions for us are better illustrated in his second letter to Timothy, verses 20-26.

20In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Leonard pointed out the the word "articles" in verse 20 has a deliberately indefinite meaning, something akin to saying our house has lots of "stuff" in it. Some of these articles are more useful than others. In a sense, we are to be like cups and bowls, containers of God's love. Paul instruction is that we be converted from useless to useful articles.

Salvation is not God's endgame. It is a first step. Transformation is the next.

In Biblical times homes were small and there weren't as many things, but there were "large houses" or "great houses" in which a whole assortment of things were present, including articles of gold and silver. We are not to be swords, but instruments... and God is waiting to transform us from ordinary to extraordinary articles of silver and gold. Leonard noted that silver and gold cannot be destroyed by fire.

Fill your life with noble deeds, he said, so that you do not have time for ignoble.

In the latter portion of this passage Leonard noted that we should not quarrel, that we should instead be kind to everyone, not just fellow Christians or people who smell and look like you. Instruct with gentleness, Paul said. The Holy Spirit will wield the two-edged sword.

Restoration & Transformation

Pastor Shannon opened with announcements that included a reminder that next week is Mother’s Day and there will be no Sunday School. Instead the men will be making a breakfast for all, to honor the mothers.

Our May 4 service was then turned over to the ministry of Teen Challenge Duluth.

Teen Challenge is an organization whose aim is to help drug addicts and others find liberation from their addictions through Jesus Christ. Founded fifty years ago in New York City by David Wilkerson, Teen Challenge has spread far and wide to wherever there is need.

The Teen Challenge center in Duluth houses forty men of all ages, united by their common need for restoration and transformation. Twenty of these men were with New Life Covenant today, and the other half at another church in this region. The men sang songs of God’s grace, and shared their personal stories.

What follows are a few of the testimonies which were shared with us today.

Dave was a business major, well educated who seemed to have good things going in his life. A 1983 skiing accident resulted in his requiring “oceans of pain medicine” for a short period of time. Afterward, he eventually became a heavy drinker. When his best friend, a former police officer, drank himself to death he likewise began a binge, starting down the same path as his friend. Recognizing the pattern in his own life that he had seen in his friend, he reached out to Teen Challenge, knowing that alone he was unable to turn things around.

Eric’s story began when he was young. At age ten Eric suffered from nightmares which kept him awake with fear. The demonic torment went on for two years until at age twelve he went to a Bible camp and accepted Christ in his heart. But over time, this influence diminished and in ninth grade he gradually became involved with drugs, including meth. The meth kept him from sleeping so that he could avoid the nightmares that had returned. His crimes caught up with him and in the end he had lost all to meth. With his arrest and probation violations, he turned to Teen Challenge for help. His future was transformed from hopeless to hopeful.

Michael shared how he began smoking pot and drinking in ninth grade. A combination of pride, depression and being alone characterized his life. After freaking out on LSD he was brought to Miller Dwan. He was given a choice between commitment to the hospital or submission to Teen Challenge. This proved to be the first step toward his personal liberation.

The choir sang a song about the prodigal son, concluding with the powerful affirmation, “I know there’s a place called grace.”

Jason’s story begins with being kicked out of school. His life consisted of drugs and drinking every day. He lived in an unclean room with rodents, maggots on the floor. His sixteen months at Teen Challenge have helped in his healing. Jason stated that the battle is for our minds.

Rob, age 22, said that his life essentially revolved around alcohol and partying until ten months ago when he entered Teen Challenge. He was broken, not knowing what to do with his life. He spoke with gratitude of God’s intervention in his financial affairs and shared how God spoke to him through the worship songs there. He likewise stated the role of the body of Christ in making this new life possible.

In truth, God’s amazing grace is amazing.

Transformation

This 2nd Sunday after Epiphany included the special treat of a Chili-Dog Dinner after the service to help raise funds for our Wednesday night Adventure Club. To this end Darlene and Cheryl performed an original drama that was most entertaining and despite the chilly weather hearts were warm, pews were full and the sunlight was dancing in the aisles.

Today's Scripture readings:

Isaiah 49:1-7

I Corinthians 1:1-9

Pastor Shannon's message this week focused on the theme of character transformation, which is directly related to leadership. Whether in our communities, in the workplace or in the home, there is a need for leaders who reflect the character of Christ. This message dealt with the process of becoming a model of what Christ wants us to be.

Many people make the mistake of thinking that transformation is some kind of mystical experience that just "happens" to us. The truth is that we each have a role to play in our transformation.l God has done His part for us on the cross. We participate in revealing His grace by doing our part.

Becoming like God means reflecting His likeness. No, we are not called to become all-powerful or all-knowing like God. Rather, we share in and reflect His character. It is character that leads.

Pastor Brad outlined three journeys we undertake as Christians, the development of virtue, generosity and wisdom.

Virtue

Conflict is going to be part of the process of becoming virtuous, not because we don't know what God wants. We usually know what God expects or desires of us, but too often we are busy weighing the consequences of obedience. What we lack then is courage to do what is right.

Citing the example of Joshua, we note that he was much like us. He received instruction from the Lord, but was held back by his fear.

6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." ~ Joshua 1:6-9

The Angel of the Lord would not have said "Do not be terrified" if Joshua had been enthusiastic and confident. Joshua had been given direction, but needed something more to follow through. He needed courage. It is as if God is saying to us here, "Do not be afraid. Obey and trust."

We don't rely on evaluating consequences. Rather, rely on God, moving forward regardless of the outcome.

Generosity

God wants us to be crazy about giving our lives away. But it is hard to be generous without wholeness in our lives. Wholeness is not an end in itself. Instead, we become whole to give it away.

Pastor Shannon cited the incident that took place at the house of Simon, a pharisee.

36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said.
41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."

"You have judged correctly," Jesus said. ~Luke 7:36-43

Re-telling this parable with a modern setting (VISA card debt) and following it with another story from his youth, Pastor Shannon underscored that generosity flows out from an attitude that is born in us when we recognize how much the Lord gave for us.

Wisdom

How do we achieve wisdom? Perseverance is the process. James 1:2-5 outlines this for us. Trials are necessary for our growth.

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ~ James 1:2-5

This is the reason we consider trials to be "all joy" because when we are experiencing a trial, we know we will soon see God break through. Trials produce opportunities for us to see God's faithfulness in action. All too often we lower the bar, expect too little of ourselves or of our God.

In Psalm 119:32 we read, "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free."

God wants us to know freedom, to run free. Leaders do not pre-occupy themselves with the question, "How much more do I have to give up?"

Character always leads. If we settle for mediocrity, we're not going to lead this church to become all it's meant to be. Are you going to hang around, or run forward and free? Run free!

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

After the service we enjoyed chili-dog feed featuring the wonderful handiwork of Don Walters. Don Walters’ career has included years of service on large boats such as the St. Clair and the Roger M. Kyes of the American Steamship Co. fleet. A native Duluthian, Walters earned the nickname “Chili Don” during his time on the Great Lakes the 1980’s.

If you were here, you know it was yummy. If you were not... you missed something really good.

Above: Don Walters stirs the chili.

Right: 1980's newspaper story features Don's Great Lakes experiences and skills.

click on photos to enlarge